My VFR experience for the last 2 years in a nutshell...crap

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by hpprojects.dupreez@gmail., Sep 28, 2010.

  1. hpprojects.dupreez@gmail.

    hpprojects.dupreez@gmail. New Member

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    Hi All, I am a South African and sold my BMW 2001 (cause I found the boxer engines tappet noisy) for a "mint" '99 800 Fi. I bought it from a "Christian Fellow" who assured me the bike was amaizing.Turns out the Volt Reg was toast and there is no cooling fluid circulation as the radiators stay cool despite Temp shooting to 120 degrees. The previous thug also bypassed the fan switch and he left me with a switch on the instrument panel. I found out by accident that it fired the cooling fan's fast winding. I hope that I have not cooked my rings yet and luckily the bike does not smoke. I bought the bike for aprox US$ 5100. The Volt Reg cost another $385.00 with labour ( fork seals included ). My mechanic rang tonight and told me that the next step to do the thermostat will be another $385.00 more. If the waterpump is shot this figure could more than double.Your collective thoughts would be valued so please advise about cost, the way forward and if I could perhaps drop in a VTEC powerplant to upgrade a otherwise great bike.Regards to all.
     
    hpprojects.dupreez@gmail., Sep 28, 2010
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  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Voltage regulator failures are common on this model. Do a forum search for RR or R/R or regulator rectifier. Adding a fan switch is also common. For riding in traffic, many people will leave the fan run instead of relying on the temperature switch. Thermostats are a wear item and are known to fail every few years. If you didn't overheat the thing, there's little reason for the water pump to have failed too. You'd know if it was because the seals would have cooked, become brittle, and there would be water leaking from it.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Sep 28, 2010
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  3. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    tinkerinWstuff, Sep 28, 2010
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  4. leftcoast

    leftcoast New Member

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    bike = good
    seller = bad.
    very durable engine, this one (98 - 01). the gear assembly that drives the cam shaft has less parts to fail (no chain or cam chain tensioners). reports of 100's of thousands of miles are common. not sure the mouting points on a VTEC engine would match up. get your fans fixed, and take a ride over to the seller's house & beat him up.
    :argue::fish:
    you'll feel better.

    welcome to the site BTW :clap2:
     
    leftcoast, Sep 28, 2010
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  5. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    As mentioned, lots of threads to review what you're experiencing. I think it'll be hard to tell you about prices (at least for those of us in the USA), but don't be discouraged. Give your new bike a little love, fix up the problems, and you'll never look back!
     
    Pliskin, Sep 28, 2010
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  6. drewl

    drewl Insider

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    Welcome aboard
    Sorry you are having troubles
    I can say that when it is all straightened out you should love this bike.
    Good luck.
     
    drewl, Sep 28, 2010
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  7. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    After the thermostat it sounds like all the common issues are going to be behind you.
     
    TOE CUTTER, Sep 28, 2010
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